MaryW

THE DANCE OF MAKING

2012 | HD triptych | 13'

The Dance of Making explores the human processes which lie at the heart of living culture. Informed by contemporary dance's deep awareness of the body, movement and embodiment, the work focuses on the act of creation in traditional handcrafts and activities such as uilleann pipemaking, hand weaving and dry stonewalling.

The gradual changing nature of manual craft and traditions, caused in part by perceived notions of progress, is examined through a three-screen film installation.

Traditional approaches to conserving heritage emphasise the artefact, but in doing so negate the tangible experience of making. This film focuses instead on physicality, embodied knowledge and movement as key components. These fragile moments of creation are framed not as documentary evidence but rather as unfolding choreographic sequences.